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Leaving Storybrooke
Next day a public court was held and everyone from the city was invited. Before the King could enter the court, Govind asked him for a minute to talk. “Your Majesty there is something that as your Prophet I want to inform you, that is... that is if I am still in that position,” he said hesitantly.
The King placed his hand on Govind’s shoulder and smiled at him before saying, “We never got another Prophet. You can freely say whatever you want.”
Govind hesitated for a moment and then said, “Tara is a witch and she is magically married to Prince Mrityunjay. I am not saying this as I am Tara’s father. I am saying this because due to this magical marriage there is some bond between them which keeps him safe.”
The King nodded. He had already concluded of Tara being a witch when they were in battle. He squeezed Govind’s shoulder lightly and said, “Even if he was not married to her, I would have wanted him to marry her.” Hearing this, Govind was relieved.
After this, the King walked into the court. There were murmurs in court and many were looking at the stranger sitting beside Prince Aditya in the court.
The King and the Queen were sitting on their thrones, with their gold crowns shinning on their heads. Mrityunjay was sitting beside Prince Aditya, wearing royal clothes. Tara and her family were sitting with the ministers in the line opposite to Prince Mrityunjay.
“People of Storybrooke, I am glad to introduce you to our eldest son Prince Mrityunjay,” the King said motioning his hand towards Mrityunjay.
A hushed silence fell over the room. Mrityunjay stood up at his place and the court was suddenly out of its stupor. Loud murmurs started in the room. People were in awe seeing that the strange man they saw yesterday was their eldest Prince.
The King raised his hand and all went quiet. He narrated the events from the said prince’s birth until yesterday. He also informed them how Mrityunjay, with the help of Tara and Prophet Govind, killed the witch Kalavati leaving out the part where Tara used magic. People might have panicked knowing Tara was a witch. He did not want any harm to come in Tara’s way. He knew the knights with him would not utter a word about it.
Everyone cheered for them. Prince Mrityunjay waved at the people.
“We can see our Prophet has trained the Prince wisely in combat. But Prince Mrityunjay still needs to know about politics. So he will be trained in that.” He looked at Prince Mrityunjay who nodded in response. The King bent towards the Queen and whispered something. The Queen nodded her head, happiness shining in her eyes. “There is an announcement. We see Prince Mrityunjay is of marriageable age,” said the King and looked at the Prince in question again.
Hearing the King’s announcement about his marriage, all colour drained from his face. He dreaded that the King would try to tie him with someone else. The King read the Prince’s panicked face and asked, “Is anything wrong Prince Mrityunjay?”
Mrityunjay looked at Tara who was equally panicked and said, “Your Majesty, I have chosen someone for myself already.”
The King nodded and said sternly, “Oh, is that so? But I have already chosen someone for you.”
Mrityunjay stood straight in his place and bowed to the King, “I am honoured my King, but I have already given my heart and my word to her so I cannot marry the girl of your choice.” His voice was filled with determination. Tara’s heart was pounding in her ears. What if the King didn’t agree to him? Would he go against his father who he had met after years? Or would he break the promise made to her? Tara’s mind was in turmoil.
The King looked at Tara and saw her stricken as if her death was standing in front of her. He wanted to continue the charade of forcing the Prince’s hand with someone else but pitied the girl and asked, “Hmm... very well. Who is she?”
Mrityunjay took a relieved breath and looked at Tara, “Tara.”
As soon as this name was out of his mouth, all eyes in the court turned to her and she smiled nervously. She was suddenly feeling light-headed.
The King and the Queen grinned. “Even if you had not chosen her, I would have made you marry her,” said the King chuckling. “As we have already found our bride, I would like Prince Mrityunjay to get married as soon as possible.” Mrityunjay’s face was beaming while Tara blushed. Everyone present in court cheered for the upcoming wedding.
Prophet Govind stood up from his seat and said, “After three months is a good time for the wedding.”
“So after three months Prince Mrityunjay and Tara’s wedding will take place. I invite my Kingdom to join us on this joyous occasion,” said the King. Mrityunjay’s face fell thinking he had to wait for Tara for three long months. Tara noticed the change in his expression and giggled.
******
After the court was dismissed, the King called his and Govind’s family in his study. Princess Vasu and Princess Meethi were pulling Tara’s leg making her face go red.
When all came in his study, the King cleared his throat and said, “What I am going to say next is to be kept between us.” Everyone nodded. “My future daughter-in-law is a witch,” he said looking at Tara with adoration. The royal family except for the King and Prince Mrityunjay looked at her in surprise. She nodded. “I would like to know what else you can do,” said the King, resting his hands on the table.
“Your Majesty, I am a healer and have the gift of sight as well,” she said looking at her feet nervously.
“You are quite a thing, Tara. I am happy for you and I am happy for our family as well to have you. Welcome to the family, Tara,” he said and smiled. She curtsied. The Queen hugged her.
After the Queen, Princess Meethi hugged her and whispered in her ears, “You bewitched him.” Tara blushed.
Prince Aditya reached Tara and taking her hand in his, he said, “Welcome to the family.” He kissed on her knuckles before leaving.
Mrityunjay was watching all this interaction from far and scowling thinking how he would be able to meet her. When Princess Vasu hugged Tara, she whispered, “Look at my brother’s face.” Tara looked at Mrityunjay and faked a cough to suppress her laughter.
After a few minutes, Govind asked the King, “Your Majesty, it would be good if we could return to our home.”
Mrityunjay’s scowl deepened. “Why? Is something not to your liking here?” asked the King looking at his Prophet.
“No Your Majesty, but returning after such a long time I thought to spend time with my family at my home where Tara was born. I apologize for my selfishness,” he bowed.
“It’s not you who is selfish; it’s me who wants to keep you. I can understand. You can go to your home but be present in court,” the King said sternly and then smiled looking at Govind. Govind bowed and Aradhana and Tara curtsied to the royal family before leaving the study.
They were walking towards the Palace gate when they heard hooves of horses and stopped. They turned to find Prince Mrityunjay with three other horses.
He stopped the horses near them and dismissed the stable hands. He got down from his mare and said, “The King gave these horses to you. He told me to see that you are at your home safely.” The last part of his sentence was not said by the King. But this was not known to them so it didn’t hurt.
They accepted the horses and climbed on them. Govind kept Mrityunjay busy with him explaining about the city while they were passing by it. Mrityunjay didn’t get a chance to speak with Tara alone in the whole journey towards her home.
Once they reached Govind’s house, they dismounted from their horses. Mrityunjay was pleading with his eyes to Tara to talk to him but she was ignoring him. Govind saw this. He said, “Tara, it would be nice if you see-off your fiancé.” Saying this, Govind bowed and Aradhana curtsied to the Prince and walked inside.
Seeing them out of hearing range, he said, “Can we talk? Please.”
Tara nodded and held his hand in hers and took him to a nearby place which was hidden from all.
As soon as they reached there, Mrityunjay’s lips crashed on hers. It was a hungry passionate kiss. He nibbled on her lower lips. She moaned. She ran her fingers through his hair, igniting the hunger more. His hands moved from her shoulders to her waist, carefully caressing each curve of her. They parted to catch their breath. He cupped her face in his palms and caressing it, he said, “How will these three months go without you?”
She smiled and caressed his face. “I can come to meet you at night if you want,” she said.
His face lit up like a thousand suns and he nodded. “It would be the least you can do with your magic,” he teased. She giggled. He hugged her and said, “Life without you is unimaginable.” After a sweet slow kiss, Mrityunjay left for the Palace with a smile on his face. That night the kingdom slept with joy-filled in their hearts.
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Hey, pankhis! This story is in its final leg!😉
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Thanks, Shaina_b for making it readable
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